Yoga

Everyone has heard of yoga and many people have even given it a try, either with a video or a class here and there. Yoga has been around for centuries because it’s amazing! It changes your body, your perspective, your approach to life and even your parenting. Doing yoga is a fantastic way of interacting with your children and giving you both body awareness and strength – be it prenatal, postnatal, mommy & me, family yoga or yoga on your own. Many people assume that to practice yoga you have to be flexible or fit, but this isn’t true! It is through yoga that you become flexible and strong. Yoga is truly for everyone. Have you ever heard someone say that they regret practicing yoga? Nope!

Want to give it a try? You’re in luck! There are many great yoga studios in London, accommodating everyone from the very beginner to the experienced yogi.

Yoga Shack is owned by a fabulous London mom, Lisa Shackleton. There are two Yoga Shack’s in London – one on Bruce Street in Wortley Village, and the second on Ann Street downtown (formerly the Lotus Centre). The Yoga Shack offers a variety of hot yoga classes for all levels, but also has prenatal yoga (non-heated), beginner yoga, hot pilates, and Flow 2 where you will learn more advanced asanas. Yoga Shack has introductory rates, student rates, class passes and memberships, as well as dozens of $5 classes every week.

Moksha Yoga is part of an international yoga chain found in many big cities around the world! We are fortunate to have two Moksha studios in London – one downtown and one in southwest London. Moksha occasionally offers family yoga classes in a reduced-heat room! They also have the traditional hot Moksha classes, flow classes and yin/yang classes for those who want to slow it down and go deep. Moksha has introductory rates, student discounts, class passes and memberships, as well as community classes for $7 and karma classes which donate back to the community.

The Yoga Centre follows the Iyengar method of yoga. They offer classes by the session that vary between 8 and 12 weeks in length. Students begin with an introductory class, followed by Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, advancing when they have mastered the foundations of each level. The Yoga Centre also offers classes for people who are unable to attend traditional yoga classes due to particular challenges.

Bikram Yoga is a series of 26 poses done in a hot room. Every class is 90 minutes and every class follows the same poses in the same order. The practice was founded by Bikram Choudry, a yogi who believes that the sequence allows you to open, strengthen and tone your body with maximum benefit. Bikram Yoga London is located in southwest London and has daily classes. They offer introductory rates, student and senior discounts, passes and memberships.

Yoga Barb offers classes for kids, families, and adults. Her calm and playful manner will have your child falling in love with yoga from an early age! Join them for a session or sign them up for their own classes. Inquire about Yoga for the Special Child for children who have diagnoses that prevent them from participating fully in a typical yoga class. Yoga will teach your child calming techniques, mindfulness, and allow them to explore their body and physical potential. The Children’s Garden Yoga runs through sessions.

Jill

Jill has lived in London for her entire life, other than a brief hiatus for school. She has three children and is trying very hard to get them excited about her passions: yoga, Harry Potter, food, and books. If you have something you think LondonMoms would be interested in, you can contact her at jill@londonmoms.ca